The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-23
In Which the Famous Desperate, Two of His
Brothers, and Hiram Cooper Are Shot
and Instantly Killed by the officers.
A Stubborn Battle Lasting from Nine
O'Clock in the Morning Until Noon.
A Sheriff Who Knew Exactly What He Wanted
and Took Practical. Systematic Way of
Getting It-Detaiis of the Engagement.
CRAIG ToLL1vER DEAD.
The Desperate and Three Other Men Slai
by y SherifPs Posse.


The Desperate and Three Other Men Slain
by y Sherih,s Posse.
LOUISVILLE, KY, June 22-In Kentucky's
shame. the lawless county of Rowan, was this
morning enacted what will, beyond all doubt,
prove the final chapter in the bloodiest mountain
vendetta known to the history of the State.
The elimination was reached in the tragic end
OF four desperate men, who forfeited their lives
while resisting the mandates of the law. After
the destruction Of thousands of dollars worth
of property, and, up to this writing the loss of
twenty.o lives, Rowan county can now return
to peace and prosperity.
Craig Tolliver, the famous desperado was
probably the immediate cause of the outraged
law being vindicatsd. To-day's good work ends
the succession of tragedies that have been en-
acted in that county since the beginning of the
Martin Tolliver feud. not quite two years ago,
the result of which, up to date has been the
sending Of twenty-one souls into eternity; the
manning and crippling for life of at least a score
more of persons; the destruction of all social
relations, and of nearly the entire business
interests OF the county, and the bringing about
of a state of lawlessness and terrorism that
has driven good men, with their families. away
from home and friends to seek new homes in
other parts of the country, where they might
live without being in constant fear of their
lives.
In the August, 1884, election after heated
contest, Cook Humphreys was elected sheriff of
Rowan county by 47 majority over Samuel
Goodwin. During the canvass many animosi-
ties were engendered, the Martins allying
themselves with Humphreys and the Toivers
with Goodwin's cause. Craig Toiver, the lead
of the latter faction, whose name in Ken
lucky has grown as notoriously familiar
that of Jesse James in Missouri several years
ago, swore. after the election, that Humphreys
should never ride Rowan county as sheriff.
Since that date. life after life has been offered
up on the altar of hatred and bad blood. with
increasing frequency, despite the best efforts of
judiciary and militia, backed by the strong arm
of the State government.
The names of the victims, in the order killed,
are as follows: Solomon Bradley. John Martin,
Whit Pelfrey, B. Caudelle, Deputy Sheriff
Baumgartner, Mason Keeton, John Marrow
John Davis. Wiley Toliver, a railroad employe
named Witcher. Willie Logan, Ben Rayburn,
John Day. Floyd Tolliver. and a party whose
name is not remembered. besides the two recent
victims, John. B. Logan and w H. Logan. and
today's lst-Craig Tolliver. Bud Tolliver Jay
Tolliver and Hiram Cooper.
ington, KY, gives the particulars as follows:
''The news from Rowan county to-day is of
the most exciting kind. and it appears to be an
indisputable fact that Craig Tolliver is killed
and his gang dIsmembered forever The news
comes by Lexington minister and others who
came through Morehead to-day on the Chesa-
peake & Ohio train from Norfolk. Va. At half
past Q o'clock this morning, when this train was
within a few miles of Moreneaa. it was tagged
by some citizens. and when it came to stop
they informed the conductor that a bloody bat
tie was going on in Morehead between a sheriffs
posse and the Tolliver gang, and that it would
not be safe for the train to proceed until hosti-
ties ceased. The passengers and trainmen were
all very much frightened. and at their soicita-
ton the conductor the train 20 Martins
SWITCH two miles and half east Of Morehead.
There they remained until nearly II o'clock
when they notified that the fighting was
over and that the train might pass through the
town with safety. The train stopped for some
time at Morehead, and there the passengers
learned the particulars of the battle, which ap-
pear to be about follows:
"Sheriff Hoge, presumably acting under in
structons from the State authorities, for he
Gently visited Frankfort to Governor Knott,
has been for about week quietly organizing a
very large posse OF determined men in the upper
part of Rowan county. and in the adjoining
counties. for the purpose of arrestins Craig Toll
liver and ali the party who were implicated in
the murder of the Logan boys. some two weeks
ago. Craig Tolliver had received intimations of
this, but they were SO vague that he supposed
the party would be regulators instead of a
sheriffs posse. Tollivsr and his party. consist
ING of about ten men, were quite vigilant and
went heavily armed to meet every eastward
bound train at the depot to search for sus pcious
characters, and to that one got off at More
head but those whom they desired. Sheriff Hogg
equipped his large party with Winchester rifles,
and the ammunition was secretly conveyed to his
rendezvous while he was organizing the posse.
Everything was ready for the move on the
Tolliver gang several days ago, but it was
known that neither he nor any of his men would
peaceably submit to legal arrest of any kind. it
was deemed best to have the plans thoroughly
matured before taking any decisive step. 1t
was finally determined to attempt the arrest of
the assassns on Wednesday, June %. in the day
time, to prevent any women children or inof
fensive citizens from being killed by accident.
Accordingly, at an early hour this morning, peo
pie living on the line of the railroad Hithin two
or three miles of Morehead, on each side of the
town, we're rotifed to atop all trains and inform
the conductors what was going on In Morehead,
so that the passengers and trainmen would not
be placed in danger Sheriff Hogg's band of
resolute men, numbering probably more than
200, appeared suddenly at Morehead about
o'clock this morning. Gordon was first estab
lished around the entire town in the brush.
where the men could be seen.
The sheriff then entered the town
at the head OF about one hundred we'll
armed men. Craig Tolliver and his ten follow
Immediately retreated to the Cottage Hotel,
which they had previously barricaded in such
manner to make it quite a formidable fortif-
cation Sheriff Hogg then notified Tollver that
he had warrants for the of all the men
implicated in the killing of the Logan boys, and
asked that they all submit peaceaby
to arrest under the law. Tolliver's re-